Device for connecting vibratory member to a frame



June 5, 1967 c. DOMENIGHETTI 3,32

DEVICE FOR CONNECTING VIBRATORY MEMBER TO A FRAME Original Filed Sept.10, 1958 FIG. F/6.2

FIG. .3 FIG. 4

United States Patent 3,323,428 DEVICE FOR CONNECTING VIBRATORY MEMBER TOA FRAME Constanta Domenighetti, deceased, late of Via Nosetto 6,Bellinzona, Switzerland, by Domenico Domenighetti, Bellinzona,Switzerland, and Diana Domenighetti and Dafne Domenighetti, both ofMilan, Italy, Daria Wilhelm Domenighetti, Melide, Switzerland, andDelfine Domenighetti in Fiarnmcnghi, Milan, Italy Continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 760,102, Sept. 10, 1958. This application Mar. 28,1966, Ser. No. 538,109 Claims priority, application Switzerland, Sept.13, 1957, 50,517/57 9 Claims. (Cl. 94-50) This invention relates todevices for preventing the transmission of vibrations from one componentof a machine to another component therein, and in particular to device-sfor preventing the transmission of vibrations from the shaft of avibrator to the support or frame thereof. This application is acontinuation of applicants prior and copending application Ser. No.760,102 filed Sept. 10, 1958, and now US. Patent No. 3,283,678.

More particularly, the invention provides a device to keep the frame ofa road roller of the vibrating type free from the vibrations genera-tedby the shaft of its vibrating roller.

The invention is characterized in part by the use of a fluid cushion,preferably maintained under an adjustable pressure, which cushion isinterposed between the vibrating component of a machine and thecomponents thereof which are to be kept free from vibrations.

The device by which the above-stated technique is carried into practicemay include a fluid cushion contained in a flexible casing and providedwith a pressure adjustment valve, the cushion being shaped in such amanner as to cover the whole supporting surface between the vibratingcomponent and the component which is to be kept free from vibrations.

In practice, since it is important to keep the frame of a road roller ofthe vibrating type free from vibrations which could be transmittedthereto by the shaft whereon the vibrating roller is fitted, means areprovided in the form of a metal annular disc assembly secured at itsbore to the vibrating shaft and having a pneumatic ring, provided with apressure regulating valve, secured to its peripheral crown.

Two embodiments of the invention are diagrammatically shown in theaccompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front view of a vibrating shaft mounted on a support by adamping cushion provided in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIII of FIG. 1, withthe exclusion of said shaft;

FIGURE 3 is a side view of the roll of a vibrating road roller, providedwith an auxiliary device for taking-up the axial stresses while dampingat the same time the vibrations; and

FIGURE 4 is a front view of the arrangement as shown in FIG. 3, with asectional view of the auxiliary device.

As shown in the drawing, the frame or support 4 is supported on thevibrating shaft 1 which, for example, may be driven by a motor 13 (asseen in FIG. 3). Annular discs 5 are secured to the shaft 1 with the aidof connecting devices 6 and clampingly engage a pneumatic cushion 2secured to the outer periphery of the discs 5 and provided with a valve7 for the adjustment of internal pressure. The contact between saidcushion and the frame 4 is established through a semi-circular shapedcase 3, a portion of said pneumatic cushion being seated in the concaveseat or recess 3 of said case.

By suitably adjusting the pressure of pneumatic cushion 2 with the aidof valve 7 within which cushion the compressed fluid (preferably air) isenclosed in a flexible hose or tube 8 having a uniform wall thickness,the possibility is provided to obtain a thoroughly uniform vibrationdamping in the whole machine, even when more than two dampers are fittedon the vibrating shaft 1. Tube 8 is constituted by a toroidal elastichollow ring.

From the above it will be seen that the invention provides a device forconnecting a vibratory member to a frame, while preventing thetransmission of vibrations from the vibratory member to the frame.Generally it may be considered that this device comprises first andsecond concentric devices respectively connected to the memher which maybe, for example, the roller 9 as shown in FIG. 4, and to the frame whichis constituted by the element 4. Such concentric devices are generallyconstituted by the shaft 1 and the case 3, as will be discussed ingreater detail hereinunder. In addition the device provided inaccordance with the invention may be generally considered as including acushioning means constituted at least in part by the cushion 2 and thetube 8 which are generally in the form of a toroid positioned betweenand concentric with the elements 1 and 3.

It will now be noted that the tube 8 includes lateral edge portions 26and 22, which extend generally in the direction of the shaft 1, and thatbetween these lateral edge portions and integral with the same, is atubular portion 24 which extends generally from the shaft 1 towards thecase 3. It will further be noted that the seat or recess 3' is of aprofile which is similar to or identical to that of the tubular portionof the tube 8. This means that there will be a full contacting surfacetherebetween, the recess 3 preferably being of a continuous form toaccommodate said tubular portion therein.

The discs 5 constitute, at least in part, gripping means mounted on theshaft 1 to grip the lateral edge portions 20 and 22 of the tube 8. Bythis arrangement, axial as well as radial displacements of the tube areavoided.

More particularly, the gripping means constituted by the discs 5 includeflanges 26 and 28 which are circular in the sense that they encircle andare concentric with the shaft 1. Said flanges 26 and 28 have U-shapedprofiles and define grooves 30 and 32 which open directly towards oneanother and in which the lateral edge portions 20 and 22 of the tube 8are positioned. Said grooves are preferably annular grooves extendingcontinuously around the shaft 1.

Flanges 26 and 28 include upper extremities 34 and 36 which are directedtowards one another and may be considered generally as lying on thesurface of an imaginary cylinder encircling the shaft 1. Betweenextremities 34 and 36 is defined a radial opening 38, through which thelateral edge portions 20 and 22 of tube 8 extend into the grooves 30 and32. The lateral edge portions 20 and 22 flare in opposite directionsfrom the opening 38 into grooves 30 and 32 and thus provide a structurewhich is well suited for resisting axial forces to which the tube 8 issubjected.

In addition the opening 38, constituting the spacing between theextremities 34 and 36 of flanges 26 and 28, is of a size which is lessthan the combined thicknesses of the lateral edge portions 20 and 22 sothat these edge portions are clamped pinched together by the upperextremities of the flanges to form a pneumatically tight chamber in thetube 8, which may be regarded as constituting the pneumatic cushion 2.If desired, the above structure may be supplemented by the use of aninner tube 40, this being at the option of the user, dependent upon theapplication to which the structure is to be put. However, the sealingrelationship existing between the lateral edge portions 20 and 22 willin most circumstances be sufficient to provide a fluid-tight orpneumatically-tight chamber, as a result of which it is seen that thelateral edge portions of the tube 8 are grasped sufficiently firmly toprevent dislodgement of the tube 8.

The discs which support the flanges 26 and 28, are more particularlyconstituted by two discs of preferably flat shape which are inface-to-face abutting relationship. These discs may be tightenedtogether by connecting devices or bolts 6, which thereby constitute ameans to adjust the strength with which the lateral edge portions oftube 8 are clamped. One of the discs 5, notably the disc 5a, is integralwith and supported on a circular collar 42 which is concentric with andmounted on the shaft 1, the disc 5a constituting a radial extension fromthe collar 42 and further constituting a rigid support for the relatedflange 28. The other of the discs, notably disc 5b, encircles the collar42, but is not attached thereto. It constitutes a rigid support for theflange 26.

The valve 7 constitutes a means to adjust pneumatic pressure within thefluid-tight chamber referred to hereinabove and by such means accountmay be taken in respect of the frequency and magnitude of the vibrationsto which shaft 1 is subjected. The said valve may open directly into thechamber defined Within the tube 8 or may be attached to the inner tube40 if the latter is employed.

The case 3 comprises rigid metallic semi-circular members 3a and 3bwhich include diametrally disposed end portions 44 and 46 and 48 and 50respectively. Bolts 52 and 54 constitute a means to connect 'said endportions and thereby the semi-circular members together, it being notedthat the bolts 52 and 54 moreover connect these end portions to theframe 4. At the same time these bolts constitute a means for adjustablysecuring sections 3a and 3b together, whereby the force with which thetube 8 is gripped may be adjusted. It will also be noted that the endportions 44, 46, 48 and 50 define a diametral plane through whichextends the shaft 1. By reason of this construction, there insures tothe benefit of the invention the advantage that forces exerted in anaxial direction through shaft 1 have no lever arm with which to pry theend portions apart and thus the structure is stronger than thoseheretofore employed.

In respect of the tube 8, this can be made of various conventionalelastic, resilient or flexible materials such as rubber, natural orsynthetic, it being understood that the lateral edge portions referredto hereinabove are integral with the main tubular portion 24 toconstitute a hollow flexible body impervious to the pressure medium tobe stored therein.

In cases where the extensions or shoulders are formed on the toroidalcase or on the pneumatic cushion in FIGS. 1 and 2 are not suflicient toprevent positively any axial displacement, recourse can be made to anauxiliary device as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Such device is designed tohave the pneumatic cushion 2 relieved from substantially all possiblestress in a direction paralell to its axis.

Said auxiliary device might be fitted on either or on both sides ofvibrating roller 9, which is mounted on the vibrating shaft 1. Theauxiliary device essentially comprises a further pneumatic cushion 10,also of annular shape and fitted to frame 4 of the machine. Saidpneumatic cushion will damp also the vibrations in a trans versedirection, which vibrations are produced in the roller 9 by an eccentric(not shown) fitted on the shaft 1. In case the vibrating roller 9, withits shaft 1 which is subjected to strong and quick vibrations, is to beconnected with a frame, then the radial oscillations are damped inrespect to frame 4 by the device as shown 7 in the FIGS. 1 and 2, whilethe vibrations produced in a direction parallel to shaft 1 as Well asall lateral shiftings caused by moving around a curve or by theirregular surface of a road whereon the machine rests, will in this casebe taken-up and damped by the pneumatic cushions 14 Such cushions arefitted on a shaft 11 perpendicular to roller shaft 1 and rest againstthe side faces of roller 9 or against any other suitable place. Suchcushions are preferably annularly shaped and are fitted loosely on theirshafts. They will rotate at the same peripheral speed as the side facesof roller 9 against which they rest. The cushions 10, instead of beingloosely fitted, might be driven by any known mechanical system such asmotor 12 through suitable gearing, thereby driving the vibrating roller9. Thus, cushion 10 might act at the same time both as driving and asdamping elements. The shaft 11 can be displaced along its axis withinbearings 14 to adjust the position of the cushion 10 with respect toroller 9.

The discs 5 can be rigidly secured to shaft 1 if no rotary motion is tobe imparted to the shaft. If, instead, a rotary shaft is used (driven,for example, by motor 13), said discs are fitted thereon by means of asuitable bearing.

There will now be obvious to those skilled in the art many modificationsand variations of the structure set forth above. These modifications andvariations will not depart from the scope of the invention if defined bythe following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for connecting a vibratory member to a frame whilepreventing the transmission of vibrations from said vibratory member tosaid frame; said device comprising first and second concentric meansrespectively connected to said member and said frame, cushioning meansin the form of a toroid between and concentric with said first andsecond means, said toroid including lateral edge portions ofsubstantially uniform wall thickness extending generally towards one ofsaid means and, between and connected to said edge portions, a tubularportion extending towards the other of said means, the latter said meansbeing provided with an annular recess accommodating said tubularportion, and gripping means on said one means to grip said lateral edgeportions to resist axial as Well as radial displacements of said toroid,said gripping means including circular flanges defining annular groovesopening towards each other and in which said lateral edge portions arepositioned, said flanges including extremities defining an openingthrough which the edge portions extend into said grooves, said edgeportions flaring in opposite directions from said opening into saidgrooves, the extremities of said flanges being spaced apart at a.distance which is less than the combined thicknesses of said edgeportions extending therebetween whereby the edge portions are pinchedtogether to form a pneumatically tight chamber in said tubular portion.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gripping means includesdiscs in face-to-face relation supporting respective of said flanges,and means for adjustably connecting said discs together whereby toprovide adjustment of the force with which the said lateral edgeportions are clamped.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, comprising means to adjust pneumaticpressure in said chamber.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said other means, which isprovided with said recess, comprises rigid semi-circular membersincluding diametrally disposed end portions in face-to-face relation,and means to adjustably connect the end portions and thereby thesemi-circular members together, said one means on which said grippingmeans is mounted being a shaft disposed generally in the diametral planeof said end portions.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein one of said discs includes anaxially extended circular collar mounted on said shaft and a radialextension on and integral With said collar to support the correspondingone of said flanges, the other of said discs encircling said circularcollar and lying flatly against said one disc.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the edge portions in the saidflanges, generally define a cylinder encircling said shaft.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the annular recess andtubular portion are of corresponding profiles whereby the tubularportion fits, substantially, exactly into said recess.

8. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the means connecting the endportions together connect the same to said support.

9. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubular and edge portionsare integral parts of a flexible body.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Rice 152-362 X Baldwin 152-362 XLanchester 152-362 X Simmons 267-35 Stroud 308-184 X Bloechl 152-362 X10 CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

N. C. BYERS, Assistant Examiner.

1. A DEVICE FOR CONNECTING A VIBRATORY MEMBER TO A FRAME WHILEPREVENTING THE TRANSMISSION OF VIBRATIONS FROM SAID VIBRATORY MEMBER TOSAID FRAME; SAID DEVICE COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND CONCENTRIC MEANSRESPECTIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID MEMBER AND SAID FRAME, CUSHIONING MEANSIN THE FORM OF A TOROID BETWEEN AND CONCENTRIC WITH SAID FIRST ANDSECOND MEANS, SAID TOROID INCLUDING LATERAL EDGE PORTIONS OFSUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORM WALL THICKNESS EXTENDING GENERALLY TOWARDS ONE OFSAID MEANS AND, BETWEEN AND CONNECTED TO SAID EDGE PORTIONS, A TUBULARPORTION EXTENDING TOWARDS THE OTHER OF SAID MEANS, THE LATTER SAID MEANSBEING PROVIDED WITH AN ANNULAR RECESS ACCOMMODATING SAID TUBULARPORTION, AND GRIPPING MEANS ON SAID ONE MEANS TO GRIP SAID LATERAL EDGEPORTIONS TO RESIST AXIAL AS WELL AS RADIAL DISPLACEMENTS OF SAID TOROID,SAID GRIPPING MEANS INCLUDING CIRCULAR FLANGES DEFINING ANNULAR GROOVESOPENING TOWARDS EACH OTHER AND IN WHICH